Metro News

Sexual assault: Court rejects post-conviction bail for Baba Ijesha

Published

2 years ago

September 22, 2022

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The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, on Wednesday, rejected the post-conviction bail application filed by the convicted Nollywood actor, James Olarewaju, also known as Baba Ijesha, pending the determination of his appeal at the Court of Appeal.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo dismissed the application because Baba Ijesha did not meet exceptional circumstances and criteria to warrant the bail.

While ruling on the application, the judge held that the applicant must show exceptional circumstances because the term given to him is five years which is to run concurrently.

She stated that there is no evidence that the appeal has been entered and there is no indication before this court that the court will not treat the case expeditiously.

The embattled actor is seeking bail for an appeal for the five years conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Gabriel Olabiran, on August 10 informed the court that notice for bail pending appeal has been filed according to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 51 of the High Court law of Lagos State, administration of criminal justice law.

READ Why we are keeping Baba Ijesha in our custody - Police

Olabiran said the application was brought before the court due to difficulty in getting a date at the Court of Appeal.

The state prosecuting counsel, Yusuf Sule, in a counter affidavit dated August 18, contended that the defendant failed in its address to establish the special circumstances which might grant the convict bail.

The court had on July 14 sentenced the embattled actor to five-year imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

The court held that the prosecution had successfully proven the charge of sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a minor against the convict.

Justice Taiwo however, discharged and acquitted him of counts one and six which were sexual assault by penetration which took place in 2014 and attempted sexual assault by penetration, which took place in 2021.

Metro News

South Africa police arrest 8 Nigerians over attack on officers during drug raid

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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The South African police have arrested eight Nigerians for allegedly attacking officers during a drug raid.

In a statement issued on Friday, the police said the suspects were arrested in the Northern Cape province.

The police said the suspects also damaged vehicles and other property.

“At the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs,” the statement reads.

“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station.

“During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

“Another group of Nigerians later approached the Police Station and threatened to retaliate.

“The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.

READ Baba Ijesha: Iyabo Ojo cautions colleagues against defending suspected paedophile

“However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.”

Koliswa Otola, police commissioner for the province, commended officers for the arrest of the suspects.

Otola condemned acts of violence against law enforcement agents, saying those who prevent police from exercising their duties “will be dealt with harshly”.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour,” the commissioner said.

“We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

“Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.”

Metro News

Police arrest grandma for locking up three children in Lagos

Published

3 hours ago

April 19, 2024

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Police operatives in Lagos State have arrested a grandmother for locking up three of her grandchildren.

The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command Benjamin Hundeyin said the suspect’s neighbours alerted them about the development.

“All thanks to vigilant neighbours who alerted the police, these children were rescued by police officers from Ikotun Division after being locked up in a room for days by their grandmother,” he said in a post on his official X handle on Friday.

“The children are now in safe hands while their grandmother is in police custody. An investigation is ongoing. See something, say something!”

The children comprising a girl and two boys, looked malnourished from the photos he shared online.

READ Tinubu picks Yahaya Bello as national youth coordinator of presidential campaign

Metro News

UPDATED: EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted over N80bn ‘financial crime’

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, wanted over alleged N80 billion financial crimes.

The anti-graft commission has asked anyone with useful information on Bello’s whereabouts to contact the commission or the nearest police station.

“The public is hereby notified that YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo),” statement reads.

“Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices.”

READ JUST IN: Alleged N3b fraud: Court grants bail to ex-President Jonathan's aide, Olejeme

On Wednesday, some EFCC operatives barricaded Bello’s Abuja residence.

Some hours after, Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at Bello’s residence and was said to have left with the former governor in his vehicle.

But Abdulwahab Muhammed, Bello’s lawyer, said his client was in his state when the EFCC operatives besieged his residence.

Bello was absent in court earlier today when the EFCC arraigned him.

His arraignment came after a warrant of arrest and enrolment order was granted to the EFCC by the court on Wednesday.

“It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible,” EFCC said in a statement on Wednesday.

The federal high court in Abuja adjourned the case against Bello, Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, to April 23.